The Sacramento Kings announced they have hired Doug Christie as their full-time head coach following an interim stint that ended with a loss in the play-in tournament.

In a move that seemed like it was just a matter of time, the Sacramento Kings named Doug Christie their next head coach. Christie made it no secret that he wanted to return as head coach, but it was unknown whether new GM Scott Perry was going to do an extensive coaching search or go in another direction.

Doug Christie was named interim coach of the Kings in late December. The Sacramento Kings are keeping interim coach Doug Christie around for the long haul. The team announced Thursday it has agreed to a contract with Christie, who took over as the team’s interim coach in late December after then-coach Mike Brown was fired.